Collapsible dolly for boats and the like



March 1-5, 1949. R. M. NURNEY' 2,464,525

COLLAFSIBLE DOLLY FOR BOATS AND THE LIKE I Filed 001:. 10, 1947 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZZ ZZ- Raymond M A/ur/vey 1 9 E I INVENTOR.

March 15, 1949. R. M. NURNEY 2,454,525

COLLAPSIBLE DOLLY FOR BOATS AND THE LIKE 2 She ets -Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 10, 194? INVENTOR. Raymond M Nur'nag Patented Mar. 15, 1949 OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE DOLLY FOR BOATS AND THE LIKE Raymond M. Nurney, Sacramento,

Calif.

Application October 10, 1947, Serial No. 779,187

3 Claims. 280 42) My invention relates to a collapsible dolly for boats, and the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a collapsible dolly for small boats, which can easily be manipulated by one person.

A further object of my invention is to provide a collapsible dolly primarily adapted for use in moving boats, but capable of various other uses, suchas moving camping equipment, boxes, luggage, and the like.

u A further object is to provide a device of the above mentioned class which is extremely simplified in design, comprising few parts, and which will'occupy a minimum of space when collapsed, or stored away.

A' still further object is to provide a collapsible dolly which is light and strong, yet quite inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the follow ing description. r

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same. y

Figure 1 is a plan the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the dolly with the handles removed. g g

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the dolly in a collapsed position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the attachment of a bolster to aframe memher.

view of the dolly embodying end extensions [2, forming lateral shoulders l3.

Each extension 12 carries an inner large washer M, an outer washer I5, and a nut 16. Disposed between the washers I l and iii, of each extension I2 is the horizontal flattened portion ll of a frame member H3. The frame members l8 are identical, and each member is supported by the axle II, as shown. Each flattened portion Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail viewshowing I! has an elongated vertical opening or slot I9 formed therein, to pivotally receive the adjacent axle extension [2 therein. The width of each slot I9 is slightly greater than the diameter of each axle extension l2.

Each of the frame members l8 further comprises front and rear longitudinally inclined tubular members or bars 20 and 2|, which converge toward their lower ends and are integral with the flattened portion H. The bars 20 and 2| also extend outwardly laterally from the wheel ill, and are inclined outwardly therefrom, Figure 3. The tops of the bars 25] and 2| project above the top of the wheel H], and the bars 20 and 2| are bent to form top loops'22,,the inner ends of which carry straight downwardly extending tubular bars 23. The bars 23 are inclined, and converge toward their lower ends as viewed in Figures 2 and 3. The bottom ends of the bars 23 are flattened, as at 24, and these ends 24 of the frame members? are hingedly cone nected, as at 25 and 26. The forward and rear loops 22 are spaced equidistantly from the axle H.

Rigidly secured to the front and rear bars 23 of each frame member l8, by means of welding, or the like, is a longitudinal tubular member or brace21. Each brace 21 is substantially horizontal and is connected to the bars 23 near the top loops 22, Figure 2. The braces 21 may incline downwardly slightly, toward their rear ends, Figure 2, and they preferably converge longitudinallytoward such ends, Figure 1. At their forwardends, each brace 21 is provided with an inwardlydisposed longitudinal L-shaped slot 28, including a downwardly extending leg or portion 29. The forward ends of the tubular braces 21. receivestraight tubular handles 30, of the wheel-barrow type. ,Each handle 3!] carries a laterally projecting lug or pin 3|, near its inner end, and adapted to enter the slot 28 and to seat in the bottom of the slot portion 29, to maintain the handle-30 connected to the'brace 21, Figure 6. Each handle is curved downwardly at its outer end, and provided with a rubber handle grip 32, or the like.

Horizontal straps or braces 33 are provided for the front and rear bars 23. One end of each strap 33 is permanently pivotally connected to the adjacent bar 23 of one frame section l8, as at 34. The opposite end of each strap 33 is detachably connected with the adjacent bar 23 of the opposite frame section. l8, by means of wing nuts 35, which have screw threaded engagement with studs 36, carried by the bars 23 of one frame section I8.

Longitudinal bolsters or pivoted seats 31 are mounted upon the tops of the two frame sections I8. Thes bolsters 31 are horizontal and parallel, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2. Each bolster has its top covered by suitable padding 38. Near its opposite ends, the bottom side of each-bolster '3'! is provided with a depending bracket 39, rigidly mounted thereon. Each bracket 39 has depending lugs 40 having openings to receive ahinge pin 4| therein. Disposed between the lugs 40 of each bracket 39 is an upstanding lug'42 of a tubular bracket 43 rigidly mounted upon each bar 23, near the upper end of the same, as shown; Each lug 42 has an opening to pivotally receive the pin 4| therein. The longitudinal axes ofth'e hinge pins 4| are disposed longitudinally of the bolsters 31, so that the bolsters are free to pivot laterally with respect tothe dolly.

In use, the dolly may be employed to move a variety of articles. It is particularly well adapted to carry small boats such as canoes, rowboats, and the like. The dolly' may be set up for use, as in Figures 1 to 3, and the bottom of the boat" to be carried is placed upon the padded bolsters 31. The bolsters will adjust themselves to the lateral contour of any boat bottom, by virtuev of their pivoted mounting. When the boat is in place, one end of the same may be grasped for pushing, and the dolly will serve to transport the boat to the desired spot. In the case of a boat it is not necessary to use the handles 30, and the same may remain disconnected, if desired. Also, while a boat is being moved, it is not necessary that the pivoted straps 33 be attached at both ends. These straps 33 merely serve to prevent the dolly from assuming the folded or collapsed position, Figure 3, whil in use as a wheelbarrow, as this could not occur while a boat was being supported, due to the weight of the same. A plank, or the like, may be placed upon the straps 33'when they are in their positions of Figure 3, and the dolly may then be used like a wheelbarrow to carry various things. The handles are attached during this latter type of use. 7

When it is desired to collapse the dolly, for

placing the same in'a boat, or the like, it is merely necessary to loosen the axle nuts I6, until they are near the o'uter'ends of the extensions 12, Figure 4. The wing nuts holding the straps 33 are removed, and the straps are allowed to hang free; The frame sections l8 may then be swung upwardly to their positions of Figure 4. The

slots l9 in the flattened portions ll permit this that various changes in the shape, size and a1"-' rangement of parts may be resorted to, Without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In a collapsible dolly, a wheel, an axle for the wheel, said axle including end extensions, opposed frame sections including hingedly connected inner endsmountedupon the endextensions, ,each' frame section including a flattened portion having a substantially vertical slot to pivotally receive the end extensions therein, and clamping means adjustably mounted upon the end xtensions to engage the flattened portion and permitting the frame sections to move from open to closed positions.

2. A collapsible dolly, comprising a wheel, an axle for the'wheel, frame members supported by th axle and projecting upwardly and diverging outwardly therefrom, the frame members including parts hingedly connected so that the frame members may swing vertically, longitudinal braces secured to the frame members near their tops, longitudinal bolsters pivotally connected to the tops of theframe members, handles detachably connected to said braces, and means to limit the vertical swinging movement of the frame members.

3. A collapsible dolly, comprising a wheel having an axle extending upon'opposite sides of the wheel, opposed frame sections arranged upon 013- posite sides of the wheel, each frame section including a relatively short longitudinal portion" supported by the axle and adjustably pivotally' connected with the axle'so that the frame sec tions may be swung vertically fromo'pen to closed positions, forwardly andrearwardly' extending upwardly inclined diverging bars secured tothe ends of each longitudinal portion and having their outer ends terminating above thewhe'el'and forwardly and rearwardly thereof respectively, and bars secured to the outer ends" of the firstnamed bars and extending laterally inwardly and converging and-having their inner ends' di'spo'sed' substantial-1y at the lateral center of" th 'e'wheel and near the periphery of the wheel, the inner ends of the last-named bars-being pivotally connected, the arrangement being such that the op REFERENeEs' CITED? The following references are of record-in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 704,426 Allen July 8,1902 2,422,331 Bates l. June 17, 1947' 2,429,028

Neeley Oct. 1 1,. 194-7 

